Hotels With Pools in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan

Staying alone on a weekday during the off-season, I was given a room on the lowest floor, the 3rd floor (later found out this entire floor was occupied by Chinese guests). There's a platform outside the window that people can walk onto once the window is opened, essentially making it a public balcony, which is a huge safety concern. The overhanging eaves outside the window also felt quite oppressive. However, considering the price of over 700 including two meals, I decided to put up with it. Other aspects, though, were quite good. The dining was excellent; the dinner kaiseki and breakfast buffet were among the best I've had at any onsen hotel. The lobby bar also offered complimentary drinks at night. The staff's attitude was superb.

A clean and relatively modern hotel sitting on top of a hill with a spectacular view of the harbour. There is an indoor/outdoor onsen on the ground floor and free alcohol and snacks from 3 to 5 pm every afternoon! Great value for money, and a great place to relax and ease back into civilisation if you’ve just come out of the mountains after doing the Kumano Kodo.

A very good experience. The house is very clean and can accommodate 6 people. But the house agent can explain clearly where to get the house key, but the email instructions are unclear. Otherwise very good.

The location is close to the beach, making it convenient for self-driving tours. Although the hotel has been renovated, it feels a bit run-down, but the beautiful scenery is enough to complement it. The hotel buffet has a wide variety of dishes and is very satisfying.

I was a bit nervous when I booked this hotel, as there weren't many reviews. But the overall experience exceeded my expectations. The hotel facilities are very new, and it's easy to walk from the station and follow the directions. Unlike other hot spring hotels, this one doesn't offer a stay-and-meals package, but a buffet. But the buffet was incredibly generous! The freshly baked apple pie was a particular highlight. And the hot springs were incredibly relaxing! Highly recommended.

Choosing a hotel in Shirahama during the peak summer season involves many considerations. We eventually booked this Marriott. Previous reviews mentioned the hotel's steep hill, and having experienced it firsthand, I'd say it's manageable in the scorching summer if you're not lugging bags. However, if you are, it's definitely best to take a taxi directly from Shirahama Station. We actually saw a bus about to depart as we left the station and hopped on, but the walk from the bus stop up that steep, uneven road left both adults and kids exhausted. Before the 3 PM check-in, the lobby offers complimentary chilled plum water. We booked a sea view room, which was perfectly adequate for three adults and one child. The onsen (hot spring bath) on the 11th floor alternates between male and female use daily, and the views from there were quite nice. Breakfast was predominantly Western-style, so if you prefer Japanese options, I wouldn't recommend staying here. We noticed quite a few Western guests, and during peak times, the restaurant felt quite noisy and chaotic.

I had a wonderful stay here and highly recommend it to anyone visiting Shirahama for a relaxing getaway. First off, the location is fantastic. The bus stop is right in front of the hotel, and after taking bus #12 from Shirahama JR Station, you get off directly at the hotel. The hotel staff are very welcoming and were at the entrance to help with luggage – super friendly! Across the street from the hotel is Shirarahama Beach, which is stunning whether it's cloudy or sunny. The white sand paired with the blue ocean is a real treat for the eyes. Shirahama is very quiet at night, and shops close early, but within a five-minute walk, there's a FamilyMart, Lawson, and a 24-hour supermarket. So, if you need snacks or drinks, these are great options. The hotel also has a microwave on the first floor for heating food. You can even buy fireworks at the supermarket to enjoy on the beach. Room: The room was very spacious with plenty of space and directly faced the beach. During my two-day stay, I spent time just relaxing in the room, watching the sunset, observing people on the beach, or heading downstairs to cross the road and lie on the beach or play in the water. It was incredibly relaxing for both my mind and body. The room had both a bathtub and a shower. The bathtub was right next to the balcony, so you could soak while enjoying the view. The hotel also has indoor hot springs, but unfortunately, I couldn't use them. Service: Most of the staff were middle-aged men and women, very kind and gentle. There was also a Chinese-speaking girl with a particularly soft voice who always greeted me with a smile. The service was excellent. Although breakfast was the same every day, it tasted quite good. Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay and would definitely choose Sanrakuso again if I come back to Shirahama.

The view is stunning, but taking the bus to Oura Station means you have to drag your suitcases up a bit, or catch the 6:00 PM shuttle bus from Shirahama Station. It's worth checking the shuttle bus schedule beforehand; the last one seems to be around 5:00 PM. The bathroom facilities are a bit dated, but the other services are good. With fewer Chinese tourists, it's mostly Japanese families with children. The indoor pool is a bit small, mostly occupied by the children. The breakfast was okay and filling, a typical hotel buffet, but they do offer mentaiko and tuna. On the way back, the hotel booked a taxi to the airport, which took 10 minutes. It's a bit far from Shirarahama, Senjojiki, and Sandanbeki, so it's best to get a timetable and have change ready if you're taking the bus.

Fabulous seaside view and nice Japanese traditional style onsen with Seaview. They also switch male and female side every day so you can enjoy both onsen in one trip. Their check out time is 10am and check in around 15:00 so the time you can enjoy is a little limited. But I would recommend you take the breakfast and dinner inclusive to have the whole experience and it is quite far away from any food and no convenient transport except transfer to city center every morning.

Summary: 1. Airport transfer to Shirahama needs to be booked in advance via email. 2. The hotel is excellent and newly renovated. The hot springs are fantastic. 3. Transportation is inconvenient, but there's a shuttle service to Shirarahama Beach. 4. It's about a 15-20 minute walk downhill to a convenience store. The distance isn't actually that far.